Everyone knows the story about Pavel Datsyuk.
If you don't, you have been living under a rock. I am not even going to catch you up on it if you don't know because honestly, you should know.
Steve Yzerman was destined to be one of the best NHLers of his time, but he was unfortunate to play in an era where Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux and Mark Messier dominated hockey headlines.
Pavel Datsyuk is kind of in the same boat because he is playing in an era where players, such as Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Alexander Ovechkin get the headlines.
However, one thing that keeps Pavel Datsyuk above the rest of those players is people know Pavel Datsyuk because of his hands.
Lttle do they know though, Hockeytown is actually home to the NHL's best player.
Call this homerism or biased, I really don't give a flying poop. Pavel Datsyuk is NHL's best player.
Datsyuk could have more points per season if he had a true goal scorer on his line. The Wings are made up of pass-first guys (unlike Damien Brunner) and Datsyuk is no different.
One of Datsyuk's most underrated games is his shooting.
He is more than capable of scoring at least 30 goals and going back to his hands, we all know if he had a sniper on his line, he would be capable of putting up at least 55 assists per year.
Datsyuk is more than capable of being a point per game player every season.
One thing that Datsyuk does that the Crosby's, Ovechkin's and Malkin's of the NHL can't really do is that its a fact that Datsyuk makes who ever he plays with better.
And thats just on the offensive side of his game.
Malkin and Ovechkin don't know what defense is and Crosby, well, is good defensively but to me, slightly overrated in that aspect.
Datsyuk is not.
Datsyuk is like having a third forward on the ice and a third defenseman at the same time.
There really aren't many players that have the same level of skill as Datsyuk.
Take this as you want, but in my personal opinion, Hockeytown is home to the greatest player in the NHL right now.
Not bad for a 6th rounder.
Man I could not agree more! Growing up my idol was Stevie. Then came Federov but I still loved to watch Stevie Y play. Hell I even had five of his Louisville sticks when I was playing midget down here in Illinois. Pavel now though is exciting as old number 19 was. The guy ALWAYS has a trick up his sleeve.
ReplyDeletePavel never ceases to amaze and he is very unpredictable. Gotta love that about him. Thanks for the read and comment!
DeleteWell, as much as my disdain for the Penguins clouds my view I have to say that Sid makes people around him better. He produces assists like almost no one else.
ReplyDeleteDoes he really? The Pens were still a playoff team with Sid. Look at the Wings record without Pavel. Thanks for the read and comment!
DeleteSpot on. So you have a Stamkos on your team and miss the playoffs? Remind me what's the point? I wore 91 for all my youth hockey and thought Federov would remain my favorite Red Wing but man, Datsyuk. Doing what he does in today's game. Unreal.
ReplyDelete*Fedorov
DeleteI loved Fedorov too. And this may sound biased but Detroit is home to probably two of the three best Russians to ever play the game. Bure being the third. Thanks for the read and comment!
DeleteCrosby doesn't make his teammates better?? Really??? Go take a look at Chris Kunitz's stats this year. Don't get me wrong, I love Datsyuk. He's the total package. I just think it's a bit silly to say anyone but Crosby (love him or hate him) is the best in the game right now.
ReplyDeleteSimply said, Datsyuk is the best cause he is the most complete player. Yes Crosby has made Kunitz a scoring machine all of a sudden but what makes Datsyuk the best player is instinct.
DeleteCrosby is a child that needs to grow up. Maybe then he might have a chance to boost his hockey skills to the level of Datsyuk. If you watch closely to how the two play, you can see that Crosby has a childish urge to put himself in the spotlight, motivated by self-interest. But when watching Datsyuk, you can tell that he's always looking to share the glory. There are many chances he couldve taken the credit for goals scored, but always looking to set up that linesmate. Datsyuk IS the best player in the game. This coming from a Vancouver Canucks fan.
ReplyDeleteLOL. Coming from a Pens hater, not sure how anyone can say Datsyuk or anyone is better than Sid.
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